An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

"Oh, this?" Arthur said, picking up Ignis and holding her up. "This is Ignis, my new familiar."

Alicia blinked, tilting her head. "A... chick?"

Hearing the word, Ignis immediately started pecking at Alicia's head, her small beak surprisingly persistent.

"Ha-ha, easy there!" Arthur chuckled as he gently pulled Ignis back. "She doesn't like being called a 'chick.'"

"She can understand me?" Alicia asked, her eyes widening.

"Of course. Did you really think she was just some regular bird?" Arthur smirked and motioned for Alicia to lean in closer. "Come here. Let me tell you a little secret."

Curious, Alicia leaned in, and Arthur whispered in her ear, "She's a phoenix."

"WHAT?!" Alicia exclaimed, her voice ringing through the room.

"Hey, hey! Calm down!" Arthur quickly waved his hands to quiet her.

"Calm down? Are you serious? That's a phoenix! A divine beast straight out of myth, and you're casually telling me it's your familiar?" Alicia's voice dropped to an urgent whisper, though her tone was still filled with shock.

Arthur sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Would you keep it down? Walls have ears, you know."

Alicia exhaled heavily, crossing her arms. "This is so unfair. First, you have an SS-class beast, and now a divine beast? Meanwhile, you got me a D-class shadow cat. A shadow cat, Arthur!"

Arthur burst out laughing, pulling her into his lap as she pouted. "Ha-ha! Did you really think I'd get my dear love a low-level familiar?"

"Hmph! Are you trying to sweet-talk me out of this? Because if you are, don't bother," Alicia said, turning her head with a huff.

Arthur smiled, his hand gently brushing her hair back. "Not at all. If you don't believe me, you can see for yourself."

"How?" Alicia asked, skeptical.

"Call your familiar," Arthur said simply.

"I'll have to go to my room to get her," Alicia replied, starting to stand.

Arthur pulled her back down into his lap. "No need to go anywhere. Just call her from here."

"That's impossible. My room is locked. How can she come on her own?"

"Just trust me," Arthur said, his tone calm but confident. "You don't even have to say it aloud. Just think about it."

Alicia gave him a doubtful look but decided to humor him. "Fine. If you say so." Closing her eyes, she focused on her familiar, mentally calling for her.

To her shock, a swirling black vortex appeared in the room. From within it, her shadow cat, Whisker, stepped out, its sleek black fur shimmering faintly.

"Whisker!" Alicia gasped, immediately scooping up the cat and inspecting her thoroughly. "You're really here!"

After confirming it was indeed her familiar, Alicia turned back to Arthur, her eyes narrowing as she demanded answers. "Alright, I need an explanation. Now."

Arthur leaned back casually, his smirk unshaken. "Well, the beast you're holding isn't just a shadow cat. She might look similar, but she's from a purer bloodline. She's a nether cat."

"Nether cat?" Alicia repeated, tilting her head in surprise.

"Yes. They're incredibly rare and often mistaken for shadow cats, but they're far superior. What sets them apart is their bloodline skill—Void Walk. She can phase through dimensions. That's how she answered your summon just now. Still think she's a low-level beast?"

Alicia's jaw dropped, and then she hugged Whisker tightly, her expression a mix of awe and excitement. "Nooo~ I had no idea you were such a big deal!"

"Meow~" Whisker responded with a soft, satisfied purr.

Arthur chuckled. "Happy now?"

"Very! If it weren't for the appointment with the Saintess, I'd have rewarded you handsomely for this," Alicia said, her tone suddenly playful and suggestive.

Arthur raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Well, we can always postpone the appointment."

"No can do," Alicia said, shaking her head firmly. "I gave my word. Besides, stop getting all mushy. We need to focus on making a plan for the best outcome."
Enjoy new tales from empire

Arthur leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "A plan? Alicia, we're not embarking on some covert mission here. Do you really doubt my charm? If I wanted to court someone, trust me, I wouldn't need any elaborate schemes."

"Well, if you're so confident, I'll leave it to you," Alicia said, standing up with Whisker in her arms. "I need to discuss something with Cedric. Let's meet at the academy gate at the assigned time."

#####

In the evening, after leaving his familiars in Lily's care, Arthur made his way to the academy gates. He glanced at his watch—it was already 4 PM, but no one had arrived yet. Just as he was about to call Alicia, he spotted her approaching with Eveline and Althea in tow.

Alicia was dressed casually, her attire suited for a day out, but Eveline was wearing a pristine white nun's outfit with golden borders and the emblem of the Light Church prominently displayed. The outfit complemented her serene demeanor so well that, with a pair of wings, she could easily pass for an angel. Althea, on the other hand, wore her knightly armor, also emblazoned with the church's insignia.

"What's with the getup?" Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What's wrong with our outfits?" Althea shot back, crossing her arms.

Eveline cleared her throat softly. "I'm representing the Church of Light today and spreading its beliefs. It's only natural for me to wear this."

Arthur smirked. "Oh, so now you can talk. Back in the room, I thought you'd gone mute."

"Shut it, Arthur. Stop teasing her," Alicia interjected, rolling her eyes. "Let's just get going."

Without further delay, they all boarded a carriage parked nearby.

"Where are you headed, young master?" the coachman inquired, a note of curiosity in his voice. It wasn't every day he saw nobles opting for a carriage when cars were readily available.

"To the slums," Arthur replied, settling into his seat.

The coachman hesitated, concern flickering across his face. "A-are you sure, young master?"

"Yes," Arthur said firmly. "We have some business there, you see."

The coachman nodded, suppressing any further questions, and urged the horses onward. The carriage jolted slightly as it left the polished roads of the main city and ventured toward the slums.

Arthur leaned back, gazing out of the window as the scenery began to change. Alicia, who had accompanied him through the back alleys the night before, still found herself taken aback by the sight in the daylight. The contrast was stark, almost jarring. The bright, orderly structures of the academy city faded into disrepair, replaced by makeshift homes and crowded alleys.

Arthur, however, appeared unaffected. His expression was calm, almost contemplative, as though he were observing an old, familiar scene.

The slums of the academy city were a consequence of history—an unintended yet inevitable byproduct of war. Refugees from neighboring regions, displaced by conflicts and upheavals, had sought solace in the city's neutrality. The city's neutral ground had provided a haven at first, fostering a brief period of coexistence between the locals and the newcomers.

But as the numbers grew, resources thinned, and competition for employment intensified. The city hall, once supportive, found its efforts increasingly insufficient. Over time, the slums emerged—a stark reflection of desperation and survival amidst prosperity.

The carriage slowed as it ventured deeper into the heart of this neglected area. The air grew heavier, thick with the scent of decay and unwashed humanity. The lively sounds of the city were replaced by hushed murmurs and the occasional sharp cry.

Arthur could feel the weight of countless eyes on them. Unlike the curious gazes of the commercial district, these were guarded, wary, and filled with suspicion.

The coachman's neutral facade faltered, replaced by a grim expression. His discomfort was clear, though he refrained from voicing any concerns.

Alicia leaned toward Arthur, her voice low. "It's hard to believe this is part of the same city."

Eveline, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "It's a different world down here. They've been left behind." Her voice carried a mix of sorrow and determination.

"So much suffering."

"So much pain."

Eveline's expression hardened with resolve. "I need to help them. Mr. Coachman, stop the carriage now!" she declared, her tone firm but naively idealistic.

Arthur let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Are you serious? You want to step out here, in the middle of the slums? The people you're pitying might seem harmless, but many of them are more dangerous than any criminal you've encountered."

Eveline turned to him, her eyes blazing with indignation. "How can you say such things? They're poor, not criminals. As a noble, shouldn't your first priority be finding ways to improve their lives instead of condemning them?"

Arthur opened his mouth to respond, but Eveline cut him off, her voice laced with frustration. "If you have a problem with this, then stay behind. I'm going." Without waiting for an answer, she stepped out of the carriage, her loyal knight Althea close behind.

Alicia looked at Arthur, a faint smirk on her lips. "Sorry, Arthur, but for once, I'm siding with Eveline." With that, she followed them, leaving Arthur alone in the carriage.

Arthur groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "These girls are going to be the death of me," he muttered before stepping out himself. Tossing a gold coin to the stunned coachman, he said, "Wait here for us to return."

The coachman stared at the gold coin in disbelief, quickly bowing. "Yes, young master. I'll wait as long as you need."